Page Six is reporting that accidental Oscars star "Gary from Chicago" is an ex-con who served 22 years in prison. The tourist who stole the show at the Academy Awards was convicted of attempted rape. The viral star made a name for himself during Sunday's broadcast for introducing himself as "Gary from Chicago", taking pictures on his smart phone, and holding his fiance's purse for her.
It turns out, though, ABC7 is reporting that Gary was released from prison just 3 days before the show. He was imprisoned in 1994 for attempted rape. According to reports, he was released from Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility in State Prison located north of Bakersfield, California. The report says that Gary found religion in prison and that's where he met his current fiance.
While it seems that Gary tried to make a change through religion during his time in prison, some people are still upset that he was part of the bit at the Oscars. Gary was seen interacting with many people, including kissing Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman's hands. This was upsetting for some views now because Gary is a registered sex offender.
“Change is possible. It’s a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children,” Gary spoke to ABC7 in Chicago about his past. “You know what my son told me today, man, and I almost come to tears. He said he’s proud of me. So to hear your children say that they’re proud of me means the world to me.”
Despite his efforts to turn over a new leaf, Gary's scheduled appearance with his fiancée on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” was scrapped.